NHTSA Complaint #11132779 — 2012 FORD FIESTA

I HAVE PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR FOR YEARS. THE OTHER DAY THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE ISSUE ENDED UP BEING IN THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH IS ALLOWING SALT AND SAND TO ENTER THE FUSE BOX WITHOUT ANY FILTRATION SYSTEM OF ANY SORT. THE LOW BEAM RELAY HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED BECAUSE OF PARTICLES GETTING INTO THE FUSE BOX. WE ARE LUCKY IT IS JUST THE LIGHTS SO FAR, BUT UNFORTUNATELY ONE OF THE PRONGS FOR THE RELAY WAS SO CORRODED THAT IT BROKE OFF INSIDE THE PLUG. NOW, BECAUSE OF FORD'S POOR DESIGN OF THIS DEVICE, WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUSE BOX AND EVERYTHING TO WHICH IT IS ATTACHED. THIS IS AT LEAST A $1300 JOB. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT RELAY THAT CONTROLS A MORE ESSENTIAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR BUT THANK GOODNESS WE FOUND IT WHEN IT WAS AFFECTING THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY.